Relatives to November Riots Victims Compensated – Attorney General

The Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka flanked by the Deputy Solicitor General spent part of the day yesterday before the Human Rights Committee to give their submission on the state of Human Rights and alleged violations in the Country.

In his submission, the Attorney General started by attacking politicians who organized and predetermined the November 2020 riots that left over 50 lives lost.

These events were not peaceful demonstrations or assemblies but rather violent, pre-meditated, predetermined and organized riots. The defiance of some political leaders to observe #COVID19 measures led to these riots,” Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

The Attorney General later  revealed that government has finished compensating  relatives of those who lost their lives  in the November riots though he could not divulge details of those who have been compensated.

Where we have found out that we were at fault, we have reached out and we have started a conversation and actually compensated some. Where we found out that government was not at fault, even if it resulted in a death, we are continuing with the defense of the position of government,” Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

However the Attorney General did not have any kind words to the NGO’s complaining of the shrinking civic space saying they are free to operate outside the Country where they think there is more freedom than Uganda.

We are starting to see a very dangerous trend where, and a citizen, in this case an NGO will come and tell you that because I’m a CSO, I should not be required to do this, why? It is the law, It is Uganda, you can’t tell us that what is happening in another country is what should happen here. Why don’t you go and operate there?,” Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

On the issue of arresting suspects in the court premises, the Attorney General says the law allows any person to be arrested within Ugandan territory as long as he or she has a case to answer.

The Attorney General also surprised legislators when he said the law allows plain clothed security officers to carry out an operation of an arrest or using a drone to effect the arrest.

However to say, don’t use drones, everyone must come in uniform is not realistic. It is ideal but not realistic. I also want to wonder whether anywhere in the world it happens,” Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.